Apr 1, 2023; Oakland, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval (43) throws a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
You might be tempted to look at Chris Bassitt’s first and only start this season (nine earned runs allowed to the Cardinals) and run to bet on the Angels.
Let’s dig a little deeper first.
This is a matchup of two solid starting pitchers in Bassitt vs. Patrick Sandoval (despite Bassitt’s rough start) who both have a history of success against lineups they’re facing today.
Let’s examine how we can use that information to our advantage tonight.
Blue Jays vs. Angels Odds
Blue Jays vs. Angels Prediction
If you’ve never tried betting on a NRFI (No Runs First Inning), tonight is a great time to try.
Bassitt and Sandoval are both above-average pitchers who have had extremely strong performances against the hitters they’re likely to see in the first inning.
The first four hitters for the Blue Jays (let’s assume one player gets on base) are a combined 2-for-11 (no stats for Guerrero Jr. vs. Sandoval) in their careers against Sandoval, who is fresh off a game in which he allowed one run across five innings.
The first four hitters for the Angels have had similar struggles against Bassitt, going a combined 11-for-48 against him in their careers. When you consider that Mike Trout owns seven of those 11 hits, the numbers skew even further in our favor here.
Going by the numbers, this NRFI looks like a solid play so long as Trout doesn’t come up with an extra-base hit, and even then it could still have a chance to hit.
Bet on Bassitt to right the ship and Sandoval to continue an impressive start, at least for the first inning.
Pick: NRFI
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.